Lighting
People who have impaired vision often have very different functional needs for lighting. While some people need lots of light to see clearly, others require lower light levels because they are particularly sensitive to glare.
All people who have impaired vision benefit from even and consistent lighting. When lighting is inconsistent, it can take much longer for their eyes to adapt to different levels. Repeated changes in lighting levels can actually be hazardous.
Lighting Recommendations
- Use consistent and even lighting with no dark patches or shadowy areas.
- Install lighting to ensure there is no glare.
- Ensure consistent lighting levels throughout the day in both natural and artificial-lighting situations.
- Use non-reflective surfaces to reduce glare - for example, avoid the use of mirrors or highly polished floors.
- Consider using daylight bulbs and other types of lighting.
- Illuminate all hazardous areas.
- Pathway lighting should cover the entire area.
- Provide general and task-specific lighting.
- Room lighting should be even and without shadows in the corners. Task lighting may be useful to prevent a high-glare situation throughout the whole room.
- Task lighting should be positioned correctly so it does not cause glare, or shine into people's faces.
- Stairways should have effective and consistent lighting to provide sufficient detail regarding step height, step edge, and handrail height and location.
- Hazard lighting should illuminate both the hazard and the surrounding area - so that the pathway around it is clearly visible for people who have low vision.
- Natural light may not be suitable due to its variability.
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